San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-08-24
TWO LABOR PARTIES.

The situation in New York politically,
grows interesting. The state Is looked
upon by both of the great political par
ties as the one whose vote will deter
mine the next presidential election. 1t
is barely possible, but not probable, that
the republican party may be able TO
elect their candidate without the vote
ofNew York. 1t is certain that the
democracy must carry the state or go to
the rear. what New York will do, then,
becomes very pertinent question. 1t is
simply in view Of this contingency and
the effect that the recent labor COnven-
lions In that state may have upon the
presidential vote in 1883 that the recent
labor conventions held In that state as
sumo importance. The Rochester con-
VentiOn held on the 10th and llth inst,
is really the OffshOOt Of the Cincinnati
convention and falls heir to all that the
Ohio meeting left in its train. This con-
ventiOn was the child OF the old green
back party, rebaptized and given to the
world as the Union labor party. This
party put forth at its candidate for sec
rotary of state in New York, prOmi-
nent manufacturer and X. OF l.. Its
platform In addition to the Cincinnati
platform demands more stringent re-
strictiOn Of emigration, of imported con-
tract labor, and antagonizes the attempt
to reduce the tariff.
The action of this convention was not
In accordance with the views of the
GeOrgeites whose convention was held
at Syracuse one week later and was dub
bed the United labor party. This con-
ventiOn was much more numerOusly at
tended than was the Rochester cOnven-
tiOn and was principally noted for the
persistenoy with which it excluded the
socialist wing of its own followers, and
at the same time resisted all Oyertures
from the Union labor party" for june
ton OF forces. The socialist delegates,
thus rejected, returned to New York,
bitterly denounced George and McGlynn
and are arranging for a labor party OF
their own.
The DrOhibItiOnists of New York, as
is well-kDOwn, intended to put presi-
dental candidate In the field. The
United labor party will do the same
thing, as will also the Union labor party.
What the socialists will do no man
knoweth. This lie one of the uncertain
elements Of the situation and one which
will render the situation, In 1888. in the
state Of New York, OF real dramatic in
terest. Should the socialists enter the
field with candidate, as is not at all
unlikely, there will be three labor CAN
didates, a prohibition candidate, dem
ocratic candidate and republican can
Empire state. How these unusual ele-
ments will effect the calculstiens of the
old parties cannot with certainty be
said, but the uncertainty of the situa-
tion is apparent. Will the effort be
made to capture the labor vote by one
or the other Of the old party candidates;
or, will the effort be made to divide the
vote, and If possible negative 1t; or, will
the greenbackers and prohibitiOnists
affiliate as Of old; or, will 1t be free
fight and each head of little faction
make terms for himself and followers az
best he can? The situation, uncertain
and complicated as it lie, has its interest,
and as the George McGlynn faction is
the strongest OF the three numerically,
and their leader polled GS,0OO votes in
the democratic stronghold IS it's candi-
date for mayor, the probabilities are that
the democracy will not cross Harlem
bridge with GO,OOO democratic majority
in 1888.
sarrsN- dam nnrafic lamentations over the